State Rep. James Talarico defeated Attorney General Ken Paxton, a Republican, and state Rep. Gina Hinojosa was elected to become Texas’s first Democratic governor since Ann Richards lost her reelection bid in 1994.
Politics
Stay informed with The Texas Tribune’s in-depth political coverage, including Texas elections, state government, policy debates, and the leaders shaping the future of the state.
Posted in
2026 Texas Elections
Democrats seize power in Texas, ending decades of GOP dominance
Texas’ governor, lieutenant governor, attorney general and every other statewide candidate fell, upending the state’s political power structure in one night.
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2026 Texas Elections
Katy Padilla Stout, Democratic newcomer, flips West Texas congressional seat
Padilla Stout is the first Democrat to hold the seat in over a decade, besting right-wing Youtuber Brandon Herrera.
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2026 Texas Elections
Tejano musician Bobby Pulido unseats GOP Rep. Monica De La Cruz, flipping key South Texas district
The self-styled “conservative Democrat” recaptured the 15th Congressional District four years after it flipped red, a blow to Republicans who tried to draw themselves more seats in the Rio Grande Valley.
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2026 Texas Elections
Democrat Gina Hinojosa topples Greg Abbott to become first Latina governor of Texas
Hinojosa’s victory over Abbott, a three-term incumbent, triggers a political earthquake in a state that has not elected a Democrat to the governor’s mansion since 1990.
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2026 Texas Elections
Clayton Tucker becomes first Democratic agriculture commissioner in nearly 40 years
Tucker will usher in a new era for the agriculture department as the agency’s first Democratic commissioner since Jim Hightower in 1990.
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2026 Texas Elections
Democrat Vikki Goodwin declares victory over Dan Patrick to become Texas lieutenant governor
The race became unexpectedly close in the final weeks of the cycle, with the incumbent naming his opponent and releasing attack ads unlike in his previous contests.
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2026 Texas Elections
Sarah Eckhardt unseats GOP Comptroller Don Huffines in historic victory for Democrats
Sarah Eckhardt won the Texas comptroller race on Election Day, becoming the first Democrat in decades to oversee state revenue forecasts, tax collections and government purchasing.
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2026 Texas Elections
Jon Rosenthal wins Texas Railroad Commission race, the first Dem to hold the role in 32 years
Rosenthal defeated Bo French in a race that drew national attention for French’s racist remarks. The position regulates Texas’ oil and gas industry.
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2026 Texas Elections
In major upset, Nathan Johnson takes Texas attorney general’s office for Democrats
Johnson beat Mayes Middleton to become the first Democrat to lead the powerful state agency in almost 30 years.
